chapter 21
‘Brother Luke has rehabilitated Sir Bruno!’
Another storm has struck the Bernstein family. Bruno, who was called that bastard knight, had changed.
He completely gave up gambling, and the number of times he had a woman or drank alcohol was significantly reduced.
Although he has not become a perfect knight, he has been upgraded from ‘human trash in the shape of a knight’ to ‘a knight who likes to play’.
Considering his usual behavior, that alone was a change that could change heaven and earth.
“I never imagined that Sir Bruno would change so much.”
“What kind of harmony did you use, Bocchan?”
From the beginning, it received many reviews that were not unusual. He also proved that with his outstanding studies.
But isn’t that the category of left study?
It was a completely different matter to show talent in learning with one’s own intelligence and to turn a knight whose pride pierces the sky.
If the former is the talent of a scholar, the latter is the talent of a monarch.
“I never thought I’d really succeed…!”
What surprised me the most was none other than the Count. Even though it’s temporary, it’s Bruno who even carelessly listens to his master’s words.
But after meeting Luke, he became a completely new person.
“I am truly proud of you!”
“I’m ashamed to praise you like this even though I did something obvious.”
“Raise your head and open your chest! What you did didn’t just save one knight, it saved everyone that the knight will save in the future!”
Since he turned a b*tch into a knight, half of the knight’s good deeds are said to be part of Luke’s.
It was the highest compliment one could give to someone who had awakened them.
“By the way, they say that when you scold Bruno, a brilliant golden sunset shone and an auspicious red aura surrounded you. did you do something?”
“…how can I have nature at my disposal? It’s just that Sir Bruno’s inner self has changed and he looks that way.”
You bastard, you seasoned it a little too hard. Luke clicked his tongue inwardly. It’s not that it’s bad to embellish the story moderately.
But isn’t there such a thing as degree? Perhaps it was because he was just starting to flirt, Bruno didn’t know when to cut it off properly.
‘I’ll have to give a sermon later.’
The Count, who did not know what Luke was thinking, said happily.
“If there is anything you want, tell me. Since you have truly done a great job, I would like to reward you as a father.”
“As I said, it’s natural…”
“I became humble. I am giving this because I want to give it to you, so it would be rather rude to refuse it.”
Luke thought for a moment at the Count’s stern reply and said,
“Then could you give me a monthly sum equal to the salary he received when Sir Bruno’s contract ended?”
“What?”
The Count was taken aback by the unexpected answer. To ask for an amount equal to the knight’s salary every month.
If you don’t know if it’s once or twice, it’s not a negligible amount if it accumulates over several months.
“Has there ever been a period in which money goes out?”
“To be precise, it is going to happen. When I scolded Sir Bruno, he said to me: If possible, he wants to serve me as his lord when the contract with his father ends.”
“Is that Sir Bruno talking to you?”
To say that a colt-like man who was let loose in that field would be loyal for the rest of his life! It was a story that would not be believed unless it was for the recent change in behavior.
“yes. However, since I am unable to fulfill my lord’s duty, I have no choice but to withhold his offer. So I want a gold coin commensurate with my duty.”
“Mmm!”
The Count shook his head. It is neither consumed for entertainment nor saved for later.
Didn’t he only want riches to repay the knight’s loyalty?
If the intention was this pure, I could have been willing to give any amount.
“How can I not be glad that you have won the heartfelt loyalty of a knight? Give me whatever you want.”
“Thank you very much, father.”
Luke slightly raised the corner of his mouth. If Bruno had seen this scene, he would have shouted ‘This is a scam!’
Because his loyalty became Luke’s achievement, and the salary problem was solved.
In fact, there was nothing different from before except for the fact that Luke was created as a middle manager.
“But with this, you just filled up what you should have gotten. Your reward is not enough, so tell me one more.”
“I have already had enough. But if my father insists on telling me…”
Luke, who paused for a while, let out his true intentions.
“Teach me swordsmanship.”
****
Earl Leonard readily accepted. He said it was at the point where he hesitated whether or not to teach Luke swordsmanship.
If you want to do it yourself, there is no reason to hesitate any longer.
-I will assign Sir Werner as my teacher. He was the former knight commander, so he should be able to learn a lot.
– Thank you, father.
The next day, Luke went straight into swordsmanship training. When he arrived at the gymnasium as scheduled, an old knight with gray hair and wrinkles was waiting for Luke.
“Welcome, Master Luke. I am Werner Luhmann, who will teach you from today.”
“Thank you, Sir Werner.”
“Please treat me comfortably. Although I am old, I am still a vassal of the family.”
Don’t be hard on yourself just because you’re older and act like a knight. But Luke shook his head.
“no. If you’re a young knight, how can I treat you after serving so many years?”
“Huh.”
Werner marveled at Luke’s words. It is Werner who has not budged about anything because he has gone through all the prenatal battles while getting old.
But that thoughtful word seemed to melt the ice in my heart.
‘As rumor has it, you’re not an ordinary person.’
Whether it was natural consideration or intentional words, the great thing didn’t change. Either way, it’s a talent a monarch should have.
“I think it will be more difficult for me if I do, so Sir Werner, please understand.”
“If that’s the case, then as a vassal of the family, how can you refuse?”
Surprised again by the flowing, natural advice, Werner nodded. His slovenly speech, like that of a court aristocrat, is remarkable.
However, swordsmanship from now on was a world that required a completely different talent.
“Have you ever learned swordsmanship before? Or even some other weaponry.”
“Not at all. I only touched the bow.”
“Then I should start with the basics. It was better.”
If you learn poorly, it takes more time to fix and correct bad habits. It was better to teach step by step from the beginning.
“Then, let’s look at the young master’s physical strength first. Please run this gymnasium.”
“How far can I run?”
“You can run until you can’t run.”
“All right.”
As soon as Luke finished speaking, he quickly started running outside the gymnasium. Werner’s eyes sparkled at that sight.
‘Heh heh, let alone complain, he doesn’t seem to change his face.’
When told to run until you can’t run, there are usually two reactions. They ask why they should do that, or they run but wrinkle their faces.
Only very few jump right in without questioning like Luke. Such people, whether or not they had talent in swordsmanship, would excel in a particular field.
‘But the real important thing is from now on.’
He said he would look at his stamina, but in fact, that was a lie. This is a test of the learner’s willpower.
Werner didn’t say ‘run until you’re tired’. It was said to run ’till you can’t run’.
The time to reach the limit has a lot in terms of physical strength, but how much further you go after reaching the limit depends on your will.
‘How far are you going to go?’
Even if it was at the level of an apprentice knight, it was enough to pass. Anything less than that would be a waste of time, whether it be swordsmanship.
Werner decided to wait patiently. And the sight that unfolded after a while was far beyond his expectations.
“Heo-eok, hee-eok!”
How long has it been since you started running? Luke’s heart felt like it would explode, his legs trembled, and a sweet smell wafted from his mouth.
Still, Luke continued to run.
“Do, Bocchan! Stop! You can stop!”
Werner, who was worse off, eventually jumped out and held Luke back. This is a board that will run until you die.
“I can continue to run.”
“Bocchan has already crossed his limits.”
Luke shook his head and denied Werner’s words.
“Still, my body, is moving.”
“…!”
Werner trembled involuntarily. How long had it been since I had seen such a strong will?
If left as it is, it will keep going until it dies. Werner announced the suspension of the exam for the first time in his life.
“Boss, the test is over. Rest in peace now.”
“…”
As soon as the words fell, Luke collapsed. Consciousness remained, but the whole body seemed to have lost all its strength.
It was amazing to see him remain conscious even at this point.
‘It’s a tremendous willpower indeed.’
What would happen if there was even a swordsman’s talent here? We may be able to see the second coming of Leonic Bernstein, the first founder of the Bernstein family.
Werner calmed his pounding heart and carried Luke on his back.
‘Ah, a strong inspiration. I won’t stop him until he’s about to be scoured for testing his willpower. If I’m not just managing my image, it’s real…’
Not knowing what Luke was thinking was the medicine.
****
The next day, Luke returned to the gym. The body that had been overworked the night before was completely restored in one day.
It was thanks to Werner’s personal potion.
Luke said bitterly with a slightly apologetic expression.
“How did you use that precious potion on me? I wasn’t even seriously hurt.”
“no. It happened because I didn’t stop it, so of course I have to give it up.”
Half of it was sincere and the other half was an excuse. Actually, I wanted to check Luke’s talent as soon as possible.
But even a thousand miles starts with one step. First, I had to start with the simple basics.
“What you will learn from now on is simple. Look at me and follow me.”
Werner took a stance and raised a wooden sword. And then I hit it once. It was an ordinary, fast-paced slash.
The second is a slightly slower slash. The third was a very slow slam.
“Did you see it?”
“yes. It looks like I just hit the sword.”
“That’s right. Try it yourself.”
Luke received the wooden sword from Werner and took a stance. Maybe it was because he saw it properly, but he had a good attitude for someone who was holding a sword for the first time.
Werner nodded his head in satisfaction.
‘It’s a very good start. If I teach him like this for about three days, I’ll be able to tell a little bit whether he’s talented…!?’
Werner’s eyes widened as he spoke. Luke was copying the same blow he had just made.
What mattered was the completeness of the strike.
While swinging his arm, his posture did not collapse in the slightest, and the sword drew a straight line without shaking.
Even the speed Werner adjusted three times was exactly the same.
“I did as you said.”
“I’m sorry, but would you like to try again?”
At Werner’s words, Luke repeatedly struck down. This time, it was a flawless, flawless strike.
A posture that can only be wielded by those who have wielded the sword for decades. You said you tried it with the first sword you caught?
“How is it? Did you do it right?”
“Oh, very good. Then would you like to try this too?”
Werner struggled to suppress his agitation and swung the wooden sword in front of him again. One of the basic swordsmanships of the Bernstein family, ‘Fire Dragon Sword’.
At first glance, it was a simple diagonal cut, but it contained three changes that could be cut by twisting the sword.
“Now, try it.”
“Um, it’s a bit difficult… is this how you do it?”
“…!”
Werner barely swallowed the shock that burst out. The fire dragon sword’s sword was unfolding right in front of my eyes.
Isn’t that not the level of an apprentice knight, but the level of perfection that only skilled elite knights can show off?
Even the word genius was an understatement.
“Do, Bocchan. How did you do it? Have you really never learned a sword?”
“yes. see Isn’t it a hand full of traces of holding a bow?”
Luke smiled and spread his palms. There was not a single callus that would appear on a person holding a sword.
Only the archer’s characteristic thumb and forefinger were full of calluses.
Werner couldn’t bear to speak and opened his mouth. Luke swept the wooden sword with sunken eyes pretending not to see it.
“However, the moment I grabbed the sword, I felt strange.”
“A strange feeling…?”
Holding the sword with both hands, Luke closed his eyes. It was like communicating with a sword.
“I have held a sword for the first time in my life.”
“yes. You said so.”
[Experience increases due to perfect slam. ]
[The same practice was repeated excessively. ]
[ The ascent is readjusted to a minimum. ]
“But the moment I saw that swordsmanship for the first time in my life, I could feel something.”
“What, if you say something?”
[Experience increases by demonstrating perfect swordsmanship. ]
[The same practice was repeated excessively. ]
[ The ascent is readjusted to a minimum. ]
“As if a sword was leading me who didn’t know anything… a feeling that was hard to put into words…”
“…!”
[The mastery of the swordsmanship ‘Fire Dragon Sword’ is already MAX. ]
[ Your skill level will no longer grow. ]
[For additional growth, you need a high-level sword skill, ‘Yeom Dragon Sword’. ]
“That’s why I was able to imitate swordsmanship that I had never seen before.”
“That, it can’t be…!”
[The current default swordsmanship level is ‘Expert’. ]
[The fire dragon sword is limited to ‘Expert’ grade. Learn a high level swordsmanship. ]
Ignoring the sound of messages pouring in, Luke recalled a quote from the old Earth.
Beginner cosplay is the content of a deceased person.